AfD seeks to tarnish the legacy of Clara Zetkin

A heated debate unfolded in a Berlin district assembly after the AfD proposed a motion to distance itself from praise of historical figure Clara Zetkin. The discussion followed District Mayor Kristin Bauch’s earlier description of Zetkin as a role model. The motion ultimately failed, with only AfD members voting in favour.

The controversy began when Bauch, a Green Party mayor, highlighted Zetkin’s contributions during a previous session. She described her as a key figure in the fight for women’s rights and social justice. Rüdiger Deißler of the Left Party later noted Zetkin’s long-term editorship of Die Gleichheit, the Social Democratic women’s magazine, spanning 27 years.

The AfD’s motion, led by Michael Seyfert, argued that Zetkin was a radical Marxist-Leninist and a staunch supporter of the Soviet Union. Seyfert claimed her legacy undermined democratic values. However, no public records confirm his alleged speech against Bauch’s remarks at a specific assembly. Anja Kraus of the Greens rejected the AfD’s portrayal, calling it a 'simplistic, instrumentalized reading of history.' She stressed Zetkin’s work for women’s suffrage, social inclusion, and opposition to fascism. When the vote took place, every district representative except the AfD opposed the motion.

The assembly’s decision leaves Bauch’s praise of Zetkin unchanged. The debate underscored deep political divisions over how to interpret historical figures. No further action on the matter has been announced.